Gluten Free Mommas: Welcome!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Welcome!

I am very excited to begin this blog. I never planned on creating a gluten free blog because there are so many gluten free resources out there. My goal of this blog is creating a support for the people around me who have asked for information. Gluten free living has its perks and drawbacks but all in all it was a great choice for my family. Please join us!

2 comments:

AnonymousMarch 9, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Yea! Excited to read the wealth of knowledge and get some good tips, maybe some recipes and stay encouraged. : ). Thanks! Jenn
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Sarah McGuireMarch 11, 2011 at 12:33 PM
I am excited to be weening the kids and I off gluten... I am looking forward to behavioral and physical changes!
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FAQs

What is the best way to start going gluten free?
There are a few ways to transition that I have found work. One is going through your cupboards and clean it all out. Find someone who might trade food with you if you can't afford to replace your storage. *Warning* this can be very traumatic. Find a support group (make sure your roommates/spouse/and you are together in your decision or it will be extremely difficult mentally). Wash everything down, walls, doorknobs, counters, cupboards, re-wash dishes, through away wood cutting boards, stop using any appliance dedicated to bread ie waffle iron, bread machine, and toaster. The wheat germ in a recent study was shown to be more resistant then peanut oil when cleaning. It is very sticky and will stay on anything unless washed off. If you are celiac any fraction of a wheat germ can make you sick. (This includes play dough, licking envelopes/stickers, using tea bags, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, makeup, and deodorant)
Second way, slowly phase it out. Get rid of what you can and gradually replace your food with gf options.

Where do you buy gluten free flour?
I am a very thrifty person. I do not like to make things more expensive then they need to be. I have found the best place to get all my flours (except Montina) is https://www.azurestandard.com/.
I suggest splitting an order with someone, but buying from this company is highly suggested from me.
Also Asian markets have rice flours, pastas, and snacks at very reasonable prices. Make sure you have your smart phone with you so you can google the ingredients, since they are foreign. If you have food assistance most of these markets also accept that form of payment.
If I can't wait to buy a bulk order on line I have found that Fred Meyers has a great selection and they have the ability to discount their prices since they are a bigger chain store.
Gluten free foods are increasing in demand so many more stores are providing these options.
Costco is my favorite place to shop and carries some great gluten free foods.

I don't think I can afford to go gluten free. Any tips?
I am a very frugal person. I was very worried when I began going gluten free since we had a very limited budget. I made a lot more from scratch, I can't remember the last time I opened a can, besides tuna fish, and personally canned food. I suggest making a menu.
Take a few of the dishes you like the best and switch those to gluten free. Everything else you may need some creativity. I have a sample menu posted, on how we went gluten free. Our staples were eggs, rice, beans, and meat. The honest truth is in the long run you will save money going gluten free, by not calling in sick to work as much, medical prescriptions, and miscellaneous costs depending on the way your body reacts to gluten.

What are your suggestions for my first time gluten free grocery shopping?
Make sure you have a menu or shopping list. Do Not take children with you the first time you go and schedule yourself about 2 hours. Take your time. Look at the products you normally buy. Take your gluten free list with you (available in the links section). Products will have 1800 numbers on them. Call them and ask if something is listed that you might not recognize. *Note* some companies use autolyzed yeast and msg (monosodium glutemate) normally listed as natural flavoring, which IS wheat, and the FDA doesn't recognize it as wheat.
Try to stay to the outside edges of the store, fresh or frozen. Canned and processed items are hard to find gluten free and our bodies adjust better to going gluten free with fresh foods. *Beware of bulk food shopping, the open bins can easily be cross contaminated with scoops and setting bags on the tops.
Find your favorite condiments, and staples in gluten free and keep buying those. I don't normally buy new foods unless I am trying a new recipe. My favorites: Newman's Own anything, La Choy soy sauce (or organic at FredMeyers), Hunts ketchup has a No high fructose corn syrup option, and anything GF from Bob's Redmill.

What resources do you suggest to have at home?
I really have found the book Gluten Free For Dummies as a great resource. There are hundreds of books out there, we all are different, but as far as down to earth this one is great. Jenny McCarthy has a good personal story in her book Louder Then Words.

How do I know I need to go gluten free?
Well there are over 250 symptoms to date some are: migraines, stomach pains, mysterious illnesses, joint pain, chronic fatigue, acne, miscarriages, unexplained infertility, heart burn, psoriasis, weight gain, weight loss, anemia, autoimmune disorders, thyroid issues, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, ADHD, inability to remain attentive, crones disease, multiple personality disorder, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation, bloating, smelly flatulence, tooth decay, osteoarthritis, and the list goes on. Honestly we will probably only relate with a few of these symptoms and when you go gluten free you will notice relief from several symptoms listed above that your body adapted to living with and we just don't feel the pain anymore.
You can go gluten free and then see how you feel, try adding it back in and record any changes in your body, or go see your doctor and have some blood tests. The celiac blood test is around $30 but only a very small percentage test positive. You can also have the blood test for the celiac gene. Or move invasive tests include have your intestines scoped. My son tested positive with the blood test, but my daughter tested negative but she still is a sensitivity to gluten and reacts to excessive amounts. So we choose to keep the house gluten free and if I choose to eat wheat it is outside the home.

Gluten Free Mommas

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Welcome!

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